Local abortion doctor losing required back-up at the end of the year

Handling of abortions on young teens led to split, pro-life doctor says

News-Sentinel staff report

Thursday, December 12, 2013 - 1:48 pm

Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who performs abortions in Fort Wayne, apparently will have to find a new "back-up" physician by the end of the year in order to continue local operations.

Dr. Geoffrey Cly, OB/GYN, notified Klopfer in a letter Dec. 12 that he will terminate the relationship Dec. 31 because of Klopfer's handling of abortions on 13-year-old patients.

The Allen County Patient Safety Ordinance requires doctors practicing but not residing in the county to have a relationship with a local doctor who can legally practice in Allen County. Additionally, state law requires abortion doctors to have local admitting privileges or have entered into an agreement with a physician who has admitting privileges at a hospital in the county or contiguous county for management of possible complications.

Cly, a pro-life physician, became Klopfer's physician designee in September 2010 because of his desire to protect the health and safety of any woman who may have a complication due to an abortion, according to a statement from Allen County Right to Life. Klopfer lives in Crete, Ill.

In his letter, Cly cited newspaper articles about Klopfer's failure to file timely reports about abortions on girls under 14 as required by state law. “Furthermore, you told an online news publication, RH Reality Check, that you now advise girls under 14 and their parents or guardians that they can go to Illinois or Ohio to avoid the under-14 reporting requirement for child sexual abuse,” Cly wrote. “Your failure to report 13-year-old abortions properly and your subsequent admission to advising parents to avoid state laws is alarming. According to Indiana law, sex with a girl under 14 -- regardless of the perpetrator's age -- is child abuse.

“Your advice to cross state lines for abortions may help child abuse to continue and a perpetrator or abuser to walk free. This advice blatantly disregards patients' well-being and safety measures that are so important to me as a practicing OB/GYN.”

“Dr. Cly's termination of his physician designee status with Dr. Klopfer will mean the abortionist must find a new back-up doctor by the time he performs his first abortion in January, or he will be out of compliance with state and county laws," said Mike Fichter, president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life.